Alfred L. Blitzer, 37

Netlan Inc., Senior vice president

Where is Alfred L. now?

It was the spring of 1988 when Alfred L. Blitzer decided to seek advice about jobs in the world of technology.

The native New Yorker had just spent seven years working in Canada for Lightolier, a division of Genlyte Group Inc., and was ready to come home. Through family connections he managed a meeting with noted philanthropist and technology licensing guru Eugene Lang.

"He told me, 'Why look for a job?'" recalls Mr. Blitzer. "'Go out and get a company.' He convinced me to go for the whole thing."

Though he was only 33, Mr. Blitzer was armed with cash from a generous bonus plan at Lightolier, a second mortgage on his New York home and profits from the sale of his Canadian house. He hooked up with partners at Netlan Inc. later that year. The company is one of the city's fastest-growing systems integration firms. It's growing at 40% per year, having grossed $12 million last year, up from $4 million in 1989.

Netlan sets up computer networks from top to bottom. For Times Mirror Magazines' office here, for instance, it integrated 250 personal computers. Now it is designing computer and telephone networks for Capital Reinsurance Management, which is moving this spring.

He personally concentrates on the financial and operational side of the business, leaving his partners, Michael Gansl and Matthew Plociak, to do the sales and marketing. But the University of Rochester economics graduate is no slouch at computers. His interest in the field was piqued when he helped choose new systems for his Canadian employer.

"Technology changes too fast for customers," he says. "In the last few years it's been difficult, even for us."